Safety Issues for Landlords and Tenants

Inventories Inc has found that there are several areas regarding the safety responsibilities of Landlords and Tenants that are commonly misunderstood. To this end we would like to give the following guidance; it is by no means exhaustive or guaranteed as being complete, but we hope that it will be useful.

Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998: It is illegal to have a gas appliance in any tenanted premises if it is known or suspected to be unsafe. Inventories Inc advises that the landlord or his agent should ensure that he/she provides an up-to-date gas safety record and certificate covering the requirements set out in the regulations. You should note that:

Tenants must be provided with a new gas safety record within 28 days of the expiry of a certificate.
These regulations cover the entire gas installation including cookers, heaters etc.
You may only use CORGI-registered engineers to carry out work to satisfy these statutes.

The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994: This legislation requires landlords to supply electrical equipment that is safe and does not cause a danger. Inventories Inc advises landlords to arrange for these items to be tested at initial letting and at regular intervals thereafter, and at least every two years. You should supply instruction booklets for the appliances.

Building Regulations 1991: This legislation requires landlords to have mains-powered smoke detectors fitted to any application submitted after 1st June 1992. Inventories Inc recommends that battery-operated smoke detectors are fitted on all floors of properties.

The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988: This was amended in 1993 so that all upholstered furniture manufactured after 1950 and included in a tenancy agreement must conform to this legislation. It should be fire-proofed, and should have the appropriate labels to show that this is the case.